Help document spawning herring this Spring!

It’s springtime in the islands and that means tulips, hummingbirds, and eggs – HERRING EGGS! It’s the time of year when herring come to our shorelines to spawn. Herring spawn in eelgrass beds in Eastsound and West Sound on Orcas Island, Shoal, Hunter and Mud Bay on Lopez Island and Blind Bay on Shaw Island. Males will disperse their milt over eelgrass meadows and create what looks like white clouds or “whitewater” from the shore. For the next two months, if you see anything like this or a lot of birds feeding in the nearshore, please report the time and place by emailing Jess Newley. Thank you!

Photo above: Herring spawn off of Bainbridge Island in Spring 2020 by Brian Whitlock

We believe that our property is more valuable if we and our neighbors protect the shoreline. Orcas need salmon. Salmon need forage fish. Salmon and forage fish need the protection of eelgrass and kelp. Eelgrass and kelp need clean water. Shoreline protections are good for ecosystems and for the long-term economy of these lovely islands.

Val and Leslie Veirs

members, San Juan Island